Are you a doctor, dentist or nurse considering a career in aesthetic medicine? Are you unsure of your options when it comes to training? In the ever-changing landscape of the thriving Aesthetics Industry and the advent of the Level 7 Qualification in Injectables for Aesthetic Medicine we understand that it’s not always easy to work out which training provider or route will best fit your requirements.
Therefore we have created this comprehensive guide on the Level 7 Qualifications which we hope will go some way to helping you decide how to approach your training needs. The guide covers the following:
- What is a Level 7 Qualification in Injectables for Aesthetic Medicine?
- What does the Level 7 Certificate consist of?
- Is this Level 7 qualification a mandatory requirement to start practicing in aesthetics?
- If it’s not mandatory can I just do a Foundation Course in Botox and Dermal Fillers and still practice?
- How do I achieve a Level 7 Qualification?
- Do Cosmetic Courses offer the Level 7 Certificate in Injectables for Aesthetic Medicine?
- How does our Level 7 Certificate differ to those already on offer?
- If you attend or have attended courses which aren’t Level 7 accredited will you have to start your training from scratch?
- What’s next…?
If you have any other questions regarding the Level 7 Qualification please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
What is a Level 7 Qualification in Injectables for Aesthetic Medicine?
Firstly, what do we mean by ‘Level 7’? The ‘level’ of any qualification dictates the standard of knowledge, complexity and level of risk involved in performing a treatment.
Level 6 – Undergraduate degree in a medical discipline
Level 7 – Postgraduate degree
Following the PIP breast implant scandal in 2012 and the rapid growth of the non-surgical aesthetic industry, the Department of Health appointed Health Education England (HEE) to review and advise on the regulatory framework in the cosmetic industry. They worked closely with professional statutory regulators, Royal
Colleges and other stakeholders to conduct a review of the qualifications required for an individual to perform non-surgical cosmetic interventions. This included treatments of the 5 main modalities of aesthetic medicine including Botulinum Toxin Type A, Dermal Fillers, Chemical Peels, Microneedling amongst others. During this process they have also made recommendations on accreditation, qualifications and course delivery.
Up until this point, non-surgical cosmetic treatments have been highly unregulated. The introduction of a ‘Level 7 Qualification’ is a necessary movement towards a more standardised level of training for medical professionals considering a career in aesthetic medicine.
Health Education England has suggested that an appropriate level of training for Botox and Dermal Filler treatments is at a Level 7. Therefore if you have completed your undergraduate degree in a medical discipline and are currently registered with either the GMC, GDC or NMC you are able to attend a Level 7 postgraduate course in Botox and Dermal Filler treatments.
It is important to note that most established aesthetic training providers, including ourselves already follow these guidelines. Health Education England is simply supporting the standards that leading independent training providers have already set.
What does the Level 7 Certificate consist of?
The Level 7 Certificate involves a combination of online learning modules, observation sessions, practical hands-on teaching, mentoring sessions and assessments to provide you with 277 hours of learning. During the qualification you will cover the following 8 units:
- Principles of History, Ethics and Law in Aesthetic Medicine
- Principles of Treatment in Aesthetic Medicine
- Principles of Cosmetic Psychology in Aesthetic Medicine
- Principles of Dermatology in Aesthetic Medicine
- Principles of Botulinum Toxin Use in Aesthetic Medicine
- Practice of Botulinum Toxin Use in Aesthetic Medicine
- Principles of Dermal Filler Use in Aesthetic Medicine
- Practice of Dermal Filler User in Aesthetic Medicine
These units have been recommended to provide you with the relevant knowledge and skills to practice the following procedures independently:
- The use of Botulinum Toxin to treat glabellar, frontalis and crow’s feet
- The use of Botulinum Toxin to treat bunny lines
- The use of Dermal Fillers to treat nasolabial folds, marionette lines, oral commissures, vermillion border, lip body and basic cheek augmentation
Is this Level 7 qualification a mandatory requirement to start practicing in aesthetics?
No. The Department of Health strongly support the recommendations that have been provided by HEE but are not in a position to make this a mandatory requirement nor are they looking to do this in the imminent future.
However, independent organisations such as the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) are working towards achieving an industry standard whereby obtaining a Level 7 qualification is seen as the ‘norm’ for any medical professional considering an aesthetic career. To get to this point all key stakeholders, insurance providers as well as the general public will need to see holding a Level 7 qualification as a minimum requirement for providing these non-surgical treatments. How successful these independent organisations will be at reaching these industry standards remains unknown.
We go into this in more detail in our recent blog; Do I need to have a Level 7 Qualification in Injectables?
If it’s not mandatory can I just do a Foundation Course in Botox and Dermal Fillers and still practice?
Yes. If you are looking to start offering Botox and Dermal Fillers an introductory foundation course in Botox and Dermal Fillers remain an appropriate course to undertake to get you started. In fact the Foundation Course in Botox and Dermal Fillers makes up part of the Level 7 Qualification that we offer here at Cosmetic Courses.
Each of our training courses provides you with the fundamental knowledge, practical skills and business acumen to become a successful aesthetic practitioner.
Over the past 15 years we have trained 5000 delegates in a range of non-surgical aesthetic treatments, many of whom have gone on to build highly profitable practices. This is a testament to the quality of the training we provide.
Therefore, if you are considering a career in aesthetic medicine you have 2 options:
- Complete individual courses which can later be combined to achieve credits towards your qualification in the future, should you feel the need to obtain one
- Book the entire Level 7 Certificate in Injectables for Aesthetic Medicine and receive a discount for booking all courses together
We discuss later in this guide the options for aesthetic practitioners already working in the industry.
How do I achieve a Level 7 Qualification?
If you have decided the Level 7 Qualification is the appropriate choice for you then there are two routes to achieve the qualification, both of which have been recommended by HEE:
- Through a University offering a 3 year Postgraduate Degree in Aesthetic Medicine (approximately £9000)
- Through an Ofqual regulated qualification, developed by the regulated Awarding Body IQ , Level 7 Certificate in Injectables for Aesthetic Medicine via an independent training provider
Do Cosmetic Courses offer the Level 7 Certificate in Injectables for Aesthetic Medicine?
Yes. We have spent a long time working with key stakeholders in the industry to create and deliver a high quality training programme in order to ensure our delegates continue to receive the highest quality of teaching.
We have carefully considered our Level 7 Qualification, creating our own unique Ofqual regulated qualification, developed by the regulated Awarding Body IQ programme of learning that meets HEE requirements and has a strong focus on your hands-on practical learning.
Total amount of learning: 277 hours
Total amount of guided learning/practical experience: 59 hours (7 days of practical learning)
Our level 7 Qualification in Aesthetic Medicine will comprise of the following:
- 6 x online modules
- 1 x Foundation Botox and Dermal Filler Course
- 2 x 121 bespoke sessions
- 2 x clinical observation days
- Assessment
We have also used our 15 years of experience of setting up and developing a successful aesthetic skin clinic to add additional topics to the learning framework unique to Cosmetic Courses, which will enhance your learning experience and give you a greater chance of building a successful aesthetic practice.
How does our Level 7 Certificate differ to those already on offer?
Our Level 7 qualification stands out for a number of important reasons:
Practical learning on live models provided by us
Over the past 15 years our aim has always been to produce safe and competent aesthetic practitioners.
The most effective way of reaching this aim is through practical hands-on training on live models. Therefore our qualification framework has been adapted to ensure you receive a maximum amount of guided learning hours. You will see over 40 individual patient cases during your qualification, each one selected by our dedicated patient liaison team in order to provide you with cases covering a variety of gender, ages and skin types. This will provide you with an excellent understanding of the consultation, designing a treatment plan, managing your patients’ expectations, appropriate clinical technique and aftercare support.
15 years of top training experience
We have 15 years of experience in medical aesthetic teaching but what does that mean for you? It means we know exactly how to design and deliver a first class training programme and we understand what it takes to make you a successful aesthetic practitioner.
Tailored approach to your training
We were the first providers in the UK of bespoke aesthetic training in non-surgical techniques and we will bring this experience to our Level 7 Certificate in Injectables for Aesthetic Medicine. We have a team of dedicated training co-ordinators who will work with you to design a tailored practical training plan specific to your requirements in line with the HEE guidelines.
Our expert trainers with 113 years of experience
All training programmes are managed by our Clinical Director Consultant Plastic Surgeon Mr Adrian Richards. In 2014 Mr Richards was named as one of the world’s Top 100 Most Influential Cosmetic Doctors by international cosmetic surgery website RealSelf. He was also named ‘The Botox Expert’ in the Evening Standard‘s ‘Harley Street Heroes’ and is the author of best-selling textbook ‘Keynotes on Plastic Surgery’. This continued involvement in both the surgical and non-surgical cosmetic industry allows Mr Richards to produce up-to-date course programmes of the highest quality.
Mr Richards works with a handpicked team of expert aesthetic trainers including Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, ENT Surgeons, Aesthetic Doctors, Dentists and Nurses who have all excelled in their respective fields and have a combined experience of 113 years in the industry. Each of them are experts in their own discipline enabling us to bring you the highest quality of teaching that cannot be met by any other training provider in this field.
Award-winning provider
We have won multiple awards from My Face and Body to Best Independent Training Provider at The Aesthetics Awards – whilst also being highly commended for our work.
Partners with industry leaders
We understand that as medical professionals and those coming from the NHS you have a considerable amount of mandatory online training that you have to complete for your appraisals and re-validation. We don’t want you to have to sit through hours of mundane theory which in effect may not aid your success as an aesthetic practitioner.
Therefore we have created our own bespoke learning management system in partnership with the experts at Blank Canvas to deliver a truly unique learning experience. Gone are the days of endless papers, articles and words on the page, we have developed our system to meet a range of learning types with a combination of written, audio, visual and games to test your knowledge in a fun and inspiring way.
All of our courses are also recognised by the leading aesthetic insurance and pharmaceutical companies whilst also working with HEE.
Ongoing support and continuous feedback
Throughout your Level 7 Qualification you will receive continuous feedback on your learning as well as a direct contact to a member of our clinical and administrative team. This will provide you with business development, marketing and clinical support as you start building up your practice.
All inclusive and hassle-free
The cost of our qualification is all-inclusive which means there are no hidden costs along the way. From your online learning, practical hands-on, business support, clinical support, mentoring and assessment, everything is both organised and paid for in one go.
Dedicated clinical environment for training
All of our training courses are provided in either working hospitals or aesthetic clinics. This means you will train in fully functioning clinical rooms rather than artificial training environments.
Click here for our guide on what to look for in a Level 7 training provider.
If you attend or have attended courses which aren’t Level 7 accredited will you have to start your training from scratch?
No. Health Education England recognise that there are a significant number of highly experienced, qualified aesthetic practitioners already performing these treatments and understand that it would be unreasonable to suggest that you go back to basics and re-train.
If you are a delegate already practicing in the industry you will have the opportunity to be recognised for your prior learning. This means if you would like to be awarded with a Level 7 Certificate in Injectables for Aesthetic Medicine you can present a portfolio of patient cases and undertake any relevant online learning modules and assessments highlighting your level of knowledge and skills.
What’s next…?
Whichever route you go down whether it is individual training courses, the Level 7 Certificate, or a postgraduate degree via a University it is important to ask the following questions to your provider:
- Who are your trainers – what is their background and experience in medical aesthetic teaching?
- How much practical hands-on experience do you receive during your training and how much of this is on live patients?
- Do they provide support for you during your aesthetic career – do they offer business support, clinical support or advanced level training?
- Where are the courses held – is it a clinical environment?
- How many practitioners have they trained to date? And where are they now?
By comparing the answers to these questions you will be able to make an informed decision on the right training provider for you.
If you would like to register your interest for our Level 7 Certificate in Injectables for Aesthetic Medicine, you can do so today by calling us on 01844 390110 or emailing us at [email protected].
Our Level 7 Training Course
Find out more
The Aesthetics Knowledge Hub is a great place for you to find answers to frequently asked questions. We recommend having a look at the Level 7 Diploma Knowledge Hub.
